Big change for the Middletons as they face bittersweet Christmas period

There could be a big change for the Middletons ahead as they face a bittersweet Christmas period and the possibility of more to come. 

• The King and Queen Consort will be spending Christmas Day at Sandringham this year and it's thought likely Prince William and Kate Middleton could join them.
• If they do then it seems like Michael and Carole Middleton won't get to spend time with them and their Wales grandchildren on this special day.
• This royal news comes as we revealed King Charles’ sentimental Christmas gifting traditions that could make this year’s festivities special.  

Last year Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoyed Christmas at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, after the Queen decided against hosting at Sandringham amid rising omicron cases. Whilst the Queen celebrated at Windsor Castle, the Wales family attended the traditional Christmas Day Church service at St Mary Magdalene Church. Reports suggested that they weren’t alone, however, as the now-Prince and Princess of Wales were apparently joined by Michael and Carole Middleton. 

This means that Kate’s parents got to spend Christmas Day with their Wales grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But this might not be the case again this year as a big change for the Middletons could be on the way…

It’s now been confirmed by Buckingham Palace that King Charles will host Christmas at Sandringham, continuing with the festive tradition established by the Queen. It’s not yet known who will join him, but pre-pandemic many of the Queen’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered for this special occasion. 

This included Prince William, Kate and their children and given that 2022 is His Majesty’s first Christmas as King and that they have just become Prince and Princess of Wales it’s highly likely they will head to Sandringham again this year. 

Though this could mean that Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, won’t get to spend this Christmas Day with them and the Wales children. 

The Middletons live in Berkshire which is around 3-4 hours away from Norfolk by car making a day trip unlikely. Before the pandemic the last time the Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated with the Middletons is believed to have been 2016. 

Of course, it's not known whether the Prince and Princess of Wales will definitely spend Christmas Day at Sandringham this year, but if they do, it might potentially be the start of a new pattern going forwards.

Given their new titles and especially since King Charles attended every royal Christmas when he was Prince of Wales for many decades, they might go on to spend most of the future Christmas Days with His Majesty and the Queen Consort.

However, it's clear that spending time with their grandchildren especially during the festive season is something hugely important to the Middletons. Last year, Carole Middleton shared how she’d be making Christmas magic for her family and revealed her unusual way to include her grandkids in getting ready ahead of the festivities when she explained she buys another tree for them to decorate.

So it seems likely that even if they don't mark Christmas Day with Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis in 2022 - or for several more years - Michael and Carole will spend time with them another day around Christmas.

And after two years of not getting to see the Prince and Princess of Wales with their fellow royals on the traditional Christmas Day walk to church, many fans will no doubt be hoping they and their children do enjoy the Sandringham celebrations with the King and Queen Consort in December.